For round 9 we remain in France and travel about 300 miles north west up to Rouen-Les-Essarts. In the 1950s and 60s this track was widely regarded as one of the finest in Europe. The French Grand Prix was first held at Rouen-Les-Essarts in 1952 before the track was lengthened and the Grand Prix held there again in 1957, 1962, 1964 and 1968. It is the lengthened circuit that we will be racing on tonight. The 1962 race was won by Dan Gurney, his first Formula 1 victory and the one and only win for Porsche. The 1964 race was again won by Dan Gurney this time driving a Brabham-Climax. The final grand prix in 1968 was won by Jacky Ickx but it will always be remembered for the fatal accident involving Jo Schlesser.

The track can be downloaded from : N/A (Papyrus Original)The full time drivers can start to practice as soon as the server is available. Reserve drivers can also join as soon as the server becomes available but must leave the server with 35 minutes of qualifying left, for a total of 5 minutes; this will allow any remaining full timers to join. If there is enough space on the grid, the reserve drivers will be able to rejoin when there are 30 mins of qualifying left.

Please restrict chat to pit messages including at the end of the race until ALL drivers still racing have crossed the line.

The race will be run under PRO rules so no resets are allowed.

For THIS RACE, 2 liters car must be selectedHristo ITCHOV will be restricted to Group I cars (Eagle T1F Climax or Lotus 33 Climax)Tristan BOT and Al HELLER will be restricted to Group I and II cars (Brabham BT11 2.5lt or Lotus 33 BRM)

all other drivers have free choice.

Moderating The red zone will be fully moderated for lap 1 only. For this event the red zone will be from the start line to the exit of the hairpin at Nouveau Monde. Other moderation will be on reported incidents only. However any incidents that occur in the red zone that are not reported by the drivers will be reported by the moderator. This will allow all affected drivers the opportunity to present their case before the incident is moderated. This should ensure there are no surprises when the moderator's report is published and hence appeals will be less likely. If you haven't received a PM about an incident before the link below the results table is removed, you can be sure that you will not appear in the moderator's report. [/quote]

Bit of a wasted effort. Lap 1 Nouveau Monde on the exit kept very very tight but a Ferrari across the bows when I went to accelerate (reacting to a spin ahead - no complaints). GPL crash box working at full tilt - impact at 25mph was enough to launch the car 10 feet in the air. Game over. I was never going to be competitive but a few laps would have been nice.

Bit of a wasted effort. Lap 1 Nouveau Monde on the exit kept very very tight but a Ferrari across the bows when I went to accelerate (reacting to a spin ahead - no complaints). GPL crash box working at full tilt - impact at 25mph was enough to launch the car 10 feet in the air. Game over. I was never going to be competitive but a few laps would have been nice.

I think I was responsible ... I spun at the exit of Le nouveau Monde on 1st lap, and Phil (on the Ferrari) could not avoid my BRM ...and then you arrived !Before that, I took a very very slow start and loose 3 or 4 positions before the 1st turn.

And after that, just at the begin of the second lap, I was running between Bernie (in front of my car) and Phil (behind), when suddenly Bernie's Brabham disappeared during several seconds ...and when it appears again it was too late and I had already rearended him ! Sorry Billy and Bernie !Would be interesting to know what have seen Phil from his cockpit !

Lap 1 Nouveau Monde on the exit kept very very tight but a Ferrari across the bows when I went to accelerate (reacting to a spin ahead - no complaints).

That was me in the Ferrari Bill. I saw a shunt ahead so went right but the car backed into me and knocked me sideways.

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GPL crash box working at full tilt - impact at 25mph was enough to launch the car 10 feet in the air. Game over. I was never going to be competitive but a few laps would have been nice.

Sorry about that, just one of those things. I was lucky not to be blown into orbit too!

After that I was hoping for a decent race with Bernie and David. But a couple of laps later I was following Bernie and David into T1 when Bernie disappeared. I expected a problem so I backed off and sure enough Bernie reappeared on the same piece of tarmac as David. Pity. After that I managed to catch Andreas who had been on a excursion on the grass but then I threw it away trying too hard on the climb from the hairpin .

Thnx for the close racing Tom and Clive. Sorry about the knock Tom. I thought I had a run down the inside and hoped you would see me in your mirrors and leave me some room. I blew my engine shortly afterwards so it was definitely an unnecessary risk on my part. I hope I have not ruined your race. Afterall we are team mates!

After Ronnie squeezed through and then got past Tom as well, I knew I had to get onto your tail or else you would have things too easy and your extra grunt up the hill might just allow you to escape. But Tom was not keen on allowing me to pass and I had to set up the move from a long way back, adjusting my lines and exits from corners to be in the right spot. Even then I only just made it through!!!

Fortunately I was quick enough on some parts of the track to close up and get the tow from Ronnie's growling Brabham.

I thought he would do the decent English gentlemanly thing and allow me an easy pass...huh! no chance!!! lap after lap I hounded him but the extra power of his 2.5ltr engine was a real pain lolAlthough I could have passed him on the back straight with the help of the tow it did no good because he would simply draft past on the S/F line.I had to make my pass across the s/f line and use my extra pace before the back straight to build a cushion..easier said than done I prodded and pushed waiting for a chance and at last he put a wheel on the grass out of the final turn and lost a little drive. It was now or never, especially as Tom was reeling us in from behind and threatening to pass both of us!!

I hope the pass at T1 was OK Ronnie , I was on the ragged edge there but tried to keep it as tight as I could I was just far enough ahead at the end of the back straight to prevent Ronnie having a go at a pass and got good drive off the bends and across the s/f to allow me to squeeze just a little further ahead each lap until I had a safe margin and could ease back.It was a really tough race against Ronnie and Tom...great fun oh! and I even sneaked onto the podium

Grats to Hrsito and Art you guys were away and gone long before I had a clear road and anyway I was never going to be THAT quick lol.

Thnx for the close racing Tom and Clive. Sorry about the knock Tom. I thought I had a run down the inside and hoped you would see me in your mirrors and leave me some room. I blew my engine shortly afterwards so it was definitely an unnecessary risk on my part. I hope I have not ruined your race. Afterall we are team mates!

It was very fun while it lasted. I got flipped upside down so it was definatly end of race. you were not down my inside Ronnie you were behind me the hole time and you had the straight afterwards where you braked later than me anyway. Appreciate the apology though. I want the mods to look at it to hear their opinion this time . I can tick no penalty.Gz H with the win and after all I really enjoyed as it lasted the tight racing with Ronnie Evil and me. It was fun those laps I watched the two of them side by side too while I followed.

It was very fun while it lasted. I got flipped upside down so it was definatly end of race. you were not down my inside Ronnie you were behind me the hole time and you had the straight afterwards where you braked later than me anyway. Appreciate the apology though. I want the mods to look at it to hear their opinion this time . I can tick no penalty.

No problem Tom, that's what the incident system is for. Sorry your race was ended.